Proprotein convertases in tumor progression and malignancy: novel targets in cancer therapy.

ABSTRACT: The mammalian subtilisin/kexin-like proprotein convertase (PC) family has been implicated in the activation of a wide spectrum of proteins. These proteins are usually synthesized as inactive precursors before their conversion to fully mature bioactive forms. A large majority of these active proteins such as matrix metalloproteases, growth factors, and adhesion molecules are crucial in the processes of cellular transformation, acquisition of the tumorigenic phenotype, and metastases formation. Inhibition of PCs significantly affects the malignant phenotype of various tumor cells. In addition to direct tumor cell proliferation and migration blockade, PC inhibitors can also be used to target tumor angiogenesis. In this Review article we discuss a number of recent findings on the clinical rele

SUBMITTER: Khatib AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1850825 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature